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How to Water Succulents
Succulents are a unique type of plant which only needs minimal care to thrive. But when we say minimal care, this is different from no care at all. The fact is, succulents require less water compared to other types of plants. But how much water do they need? And when should you water them?
If you want to enjoy your succulents, then you should know how to water them so they can look healthy and beautiful. It’s hard to determine how often you need to water succulents. Rather, it would be much better if we will discuss how to recognize if your succulent requires water or how to know if you have overwatered them. Most people will tell you that it is very easy to care for succulents. Yet, why are there a lot of succulents that die? Of course, it is very easy to care for succulents, all you need is relevant information.
What Are Succulents?
Before knowing how to water succulent plants, you should first learn what succulents are. Succulents are a large group of plants that can survive in droughts since they have stored water in their stems, leaves, and roots. When drought comes, this stored water will be released so that it can be used by the whole plant. In this way, succulents can survive even severe climate conditions.
When Should You Water Succulents?
Their ability to store water enables them to survive even when there is less water. Since this is a natural characteristic of succulents, we often assume that it is much better to keep your succulents extremely dry rather than excessively wet. Even if they can thrive in very dry conditions, it is still important to know when your succulents need water.
Always be aware of the signs that indicate that your succulents require some water. When we say that it is much better to keep them dry rather than wet, then it does not necessarily mean that you should never water them at all. It is a basic fact that water is a necessity for plants to keep them healthy. If the leaves of your succulents have already wrinkled, then it is a sign that your succulents need more water.
Once the stored water has been released and distributed to the entire plant, it is also important that you should replace them. Once the water has been diminished then the leaves will shrink. The leaves will no longer look chubby and firm, instead, they will shrink. This is an obvious indication that your succulent requires more water.
How Much Water Do They Need?
To keep your succulents healthy and to maintain its natural beauty, you should water them deeply. Afterward, give them some time to dry out. The key is to water them deeply when the soil has dried up. If you are using a container with good drainage, then you can place the container in a tray of water.
Do this for about five minutes, then remove it from the water and let it drain. Never water them again, wait until the soil gets dry. If you are planting your succulents on the ground or in a very large container that cannot be lifted, then you have to water at the soil line and not over it. You should not put your succulents in waterlogged soil.
Succulents should not be overwatered. You learn and keep an eye out for the signs that your succulents are already overwatered. Storing water in stems, leaves, and roots can make the succulents live even in dry soils. When the stored water is released, it will be replaced by the water that comes from the soil. This is very important to assure that the plants are healthy.
Typically, overwatering can rot the leaves as well as their roots. This can happen once you have noticed that the leaves have started to discolor and turned into translucent. The leaves do not look firm anymore. Instead, they are soft and spongy. When the leaves are damaged by little water, there is a chance that it can recover.
However, if they get damaged by too much water, then most likely the leaves will fall off from the plant. While there is still a possibility that it can recover from this condition, it will be difficult. You must save the succulent from its wet condition. If you can’t save an overwatered succulent, then the best alternative is to take its leaves and cuttings and start creating brand new plants.
How to Determine Your Plant’s Health
By simply looking at the plants, we can recognize its health. If the leaves of your plants have already shrunk or dried-up, then it is a sign that it requires some water. On the other hand, if its leaves are already soft, spongy, and has lost its color, then your plant is damaged by overwatering. However, there are some succulents wherein its leaves will regularly dry out as they grow.
This is quite common in most Hens-and-Chicks succulents such as Echeveria. Older leaves will become brown and will fall off. This is a natural part of its growth. Take note that these leaves did not shrink, instead, they just dried out. They did not lose its color, rather they just turn into brown. These leaves do not store water anymore. You can either wait until the leaves will fall off naturally or you can simply remove them so your succulents can look terrific.
At Eden Succulents, you will discover that growing and caring for succulents can be fun! Collecting different types of succulents is a wonderful experience. But be sure that you know how to care for them, especially when it comes to how and when to water them. Please share your thoughts about succulents in the comments below!
